Designers from Mexico and Colombia have collaborated on a set of objects, created to facilitate coffee-drinking customs from the two countries.
Mexican designer José Bermúdez, and Colombian designers Vrokka and Fango Studio worked together on the Samaná project ? named after a coffee-harvesting region between the cities of Bogotá and Medellin.

The team designed a range of products, intended to unify coffee cultures around Central and South America. Pieces include a cabinet that doubles as a table, as well as mugs, spoons, and vessels.
The cabinet-table, which the team described as a "container", comprises a solid ash box with curved edges sat atop a slender metal frame.

The top opens up so coffee-making utensils can be stored inside, and forms a preparation surface and a place for sipping when closed. "The container is inspired by the shape of the wooden boxes used by coffee growers when selecting the best coffee beans," said Bermúdez. "The height of the container is because of how Mexican cantinas are used. People use cantinas as a meeting point to discuss while they prepare some drinks."

Popular in Mexico in the 1950s, some traditional cantinas remain open today. The small bars are used for enjoying drinks (often beer), playing games, and sharing stories.
"We used the same concept, but on how to make a coffee conversation," Bermúdez said.

The interior of cantinas often have a mixture of a bar stools and cafe seats. Th...